The study and practice of health communication have never been confined to the classroom context, as health communication is inherently practice-oriented while being simultaneously based in theory. In this article, Teresa Thompson, editor of "Health Communication" journal for over 30 years, reflects on the interrelationships between…

As ways that communication scholars can prepare students to meet challenges and transform society are considered, for the greater good, the authors argue that it is essential to consider the realm of health communication (Morreale, Valenzano, & Bauer, 2016). The authors focus on a growing need for rigorous research as a cornerstone of…

Anita Vangelisti writes in this response that although the recommendations set forward in this "Forum" are well thought out and important additions to the discussion, teacher-scholars in the field of communication can, and should, do more. She agrees that there is a need to identify and describe learning outcomes in communication, and…

Could teacher communication behaviors generally assumed to be positive ever be detrimental to student realization of particular outcomes? This essay argues for increased scholarly attention to this question. The authors advocate a research agenda that explores the potential "downside" of teacher communication behaviors (TCBs);…

Advances in communication technology have created many new tools for school communicators--as well as increasing complexities for their programs. As a result, solid school communication research programs offering practical research insights for planning, tracking, and assessing school communication efforts are more important than ever. Still, many…

Colleges and universities have come to recognize that creating smaller learning communities is a useful strategy for engaging undergraduate students. Learning communities can provide students with a sense of identity and with connections to faculty, the institution, and knowledge. Despite their popularity, there is little empirical research that…

The purpose of this report is to describe a rationale and strategies for use of the National Communication Association's online magazine, "Communication Currents", in the undergraduate communication curriculum. "Communication Currents" features essays that translate current scholarship published in NCA journals, making the research "understandable…

Research on graphic symbol learning suggests that symbols with a greater visual resemblance to their referents (greater iconicity) are more easily learned. The iconicity hypothesis has not yet been explored within the intervention protocol of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Within the PECS protocol, participants do not point to a…

Classroom communication between deaf students was modeled using a question-and-answer game. Participants consisted of student pairs that relied on spoken language, pairs that relied on American Sign Language (ASL), and mixed pairs in which one student used spoken language and one signed. Although the task encouraged students to request…

Maintains that communication consultants can help increase organizational effectiveness by therapeutically applying communication research, especially interpretive research, to organizational development. Describes a six-step model of therapeutic organizational communication consultation. Presents an organizational development study to illustrate…

A study to determine whether five Pittsburgh hospitals have communication training programs and whether the programs have been or are currently being evaluated examined the following research questions: (1) whether they have ever used a communication training program (i.e., writing, interpersonal communication, public speaking, group leadership);…

A study tested the prediction that men's and women's relative responses to the Argumentativeness Scale will change if the items are worded consistently so as to make more or less salient the content and process dimensions of arguing. Respondents, 564 students enrolled in basic public speaking courses at Ball State University, were each provided…

Examines two analyses of communicative competence: J. C. McCroskey's knowledge-skills distinction; and B. H. Spitzberg's response to McCroskey's argument, tying competence to motivation, knowledge, and skills. Discusses two unresolved issues in both analyses--the behavioral repertoire mapping assumption, and the conscious monitoring assumption.…

Intercollegiate forensics (speech and debate) programs represent an outgrowth of the communication curriculum. As such, the goal of forensic programs is to encourage students to become responsible advocates in democratic societies through developing appropriate communication skills and attitudes. This paper extends earlier research, providing…

Examines the role of gender and the nature of instructional discourse on beneficiaries and social change in development communication projects addressing health, nutrition, and population problems. Finds a shift from focusing on women and other marginal groups since the Decade for Women, toward emphasizing consumption and privatization. (CR)